About Ethnic Community Self-Help

The Ethnic Community Self-Help program supports ethnic community-based organizations in providing refugee populations with critical services to assist them in becoming integrated members of American society.

General Background

Throughout the history of the United States, the involvement of refugees and their community-based organizations in resettlement has been critical to integration. Today, these organizations continue to enhance the provision and effectiveness of refugee services. For refugees, their active participation in resettlement is empowering and plays an important role in the integration of the entire refugee community.

Program Description

The Ethnic Community Self-Help program provides assistance to refugee community-based organizations and other groups that:

• Address community building
• Facilitate cultural adjustment and integration
• Deliver mutually supportive functions
  • Information exchange
  • Civic participation
  • Resource enhancement
  • Orientation and support to new and established refugees
  • Public education to the larger community

Ethnic Community Self-Help programs connect newly arrived refugees to community resources. Ethnic Community Self-Help programs target all ORR populations, and all U.S.-based governmental and certified non-profit organizations are eligible to apply.

Resources

Technical Assistance Providers
Managing Federal Grants
List of Current Grantees
Funding Opportunities
Cultural Orientation: Journey of Hope and Somali Bantu
Burundians

Contact ORR
Administration for Children and Families
Mary E. Switzer Building
330 C ST SW
Room 5123
Washington, DC 20201

For general inquiries about ORR programs and services, please call 202.401.9246

Media Inquiries
Members of the press may contact the ACF Office of Communications at 202.401.9215 or media@acf.hhs.gov